More than 250 delegates across Canada and Bermuda gathered for a virtual territorial youth event during the last weekend of May. Delegates “spawned” (appeared virtually) on a beach in a video game-style web platform called GatherTown, crossed a bridge to the gates of a castle and entered the virtual world of Voit/See Connect 2: Electric Boogaloo (VC2).
Captains Marc and Mariska Potters, children and youth department, International Headquarters, kicked off the event on the digital main stage where they introduced the theme of the weekend: new hope. They focused on Exodus 18, prompting the youth to think about the roles of Jethro and Moses, and to consider the people in their lives who act as mentors and teachers, and those who may need a mentor or voice of wisdom. The night closed with illusionist Zak Mirzadeh who shared his own testimony after a hit illusion performance.
Saturday morning began with “near screen-free challenges” that encouraged delegates to take some time away from GatherTown to engage in a bake-off competition; a five-kilometre prayer run led by Major Terence Hale, territorial youth secretary; do-it-yourself heavy metal art with Salvationist Deryck Robertson; and “quick mission projects,” where Lieutenant Adriane Cartmell, divisional youth secretary, Bermuda Division, sent participants out to do small acts of kindness for their community. The group reconvened for online breakout sessions on topics such as innovation and leadership, mental health, healthy sexuality and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
On Saturday night, the group revisited the main stage for testimonies of faith, worship from Outside Worship, a comedy show by Jaron Myers and a late-night Rocket League tournament. Twenty-five participants battled on the online soccer field to become the territory’s Rocket League champion.
Throughout the three-day event, delegates found innovative ways to use the digital space. They played virtual hide and seek, and caught up with friends across the territory in common rooms. They formed teams to search the map for “Boogles” to earn prizes and purchased $2 pigs in a virtual “pig pen” for Partners in Mission. A breakout prayer room was also available for a quiet place to reflect and pray.
The territorial youth weekend took place in a virtual space called GatherTown
VC2 ended on Sunday morning with worship led by Captain Juan Chirinos, divisional youth secretary, Quebec Division, and Captain Norm Porter, divisional youth secretary, Prairie Division, Bible study with Captains Josh and Joyce Downer, divisional youth secretaries, British Columbia Division, and a formal passing of leadership to Captains Jason Dockeray and Kristen Jackson-Dockeray, who will step into the roles of territorial children and youth secretary and territorial secretary for candidates on July 2.
Reflecting on the weekend and its message of new hope, Major Terence says, “This gathering of young people from across the territory embodied that theme,” he says. “From coming together to rekindle or birth friendships signaling a hope of a near future with fewer social restrictions, to pledging to serve Jesus who both ‘sees’ and ‘saves’ by bringing that message of hope to the world, the young people and leaders gathered to embrace the God of new things that we see in Isaiah 43:19. For me, this weekend felt like a step into the brave new world that this generation will lead us into and through.”
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On Friday, June 18, 2021, Carol Ann said:
Eva & Ariel are such wonderful girls. They are never shy about living out their faith, nor sharing their live for God. I am a very proud Auntie of both these girls.
So, whether you are a shelter worker, a bandmaster, a bookkeeper or a pastor; if you work with youth in your corps or lead the Over-60 Club; if your office is in a headquarters or in a canteen on the street; if your clientele are hungry and poor, or wealthy and ready to donate; if your work involves sorting clothes in the thrift store, or finding homes for families in need— you are mission.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”—Matthew 5:14-15 Generation Z, affectionately known as gen Z, refers to individuals born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s.
Watch a replay of the Welcome Weekend service on our YouTube channel. On Sunday afternoon, Salvationists and friends gathered at Scarborough Citadel in Toronto for the territorial welcome of five cadets and four auxiliary-captains as the newest session to enter officer training. As they begin their first steps into a sacred covenant with the
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On Friday, June 18, 2021, Carol Ann said:
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